Ensaio vs. redação vs. composição
While ensaio, redação, and composição can all translate to "essay" or "writing," their usage depends heavily on the context—whether it is academic, educational, or professional—and the region (Brazil vs. Portugal). Generally, ensaio is intellectual and higher-level, redação is the standard school term in Brazil, and composição is often used for school writing in Portugal or structural formation.
Ensaio
B2This word refers to a formal, argumentative, or literary essay usually written at a university level or by professionals. It implies critical thinking, personal testing of ideas, and distinctive style. It is used in both Brazil and Portugal with this specific academic or artistic meaning.
O professor universitário publicou um ensaio sobre a economia global.
(The university professor published an essay on the global economy.)
Para a aula de mestrado, tive que escrever um ensaio comparando dois autores.
(For the master's class, I had to write an essay comparing two authors.)
George Orwell é famoso por seus ensaios políticos e literários.
(George Orwell is famous for his political and literary essays.)
Redação
A2In Brazil, this is the most common word for a school essay, specifically the ones written for exams, homework, or university entrance tests (like the ENEM). It refers to the technical act of drafting a text. In Portugal, it is also used, but it can refer more broadly to the act of writing or the newsroom of a newspaper.
A nota da redação é essencial para passar no vestibular no Brasil.
(The essay grade is essential to pass the university entrance exam in Brazil.)
A professora passou o fim de semana corrigindo a redação de cada aluno.
(The teacher spent the weekend correcting every student's essay.)
O tema da redação desta semana é a mudança climática.
(The theme of this week's essay is climate change.)
Composição
B1This word generally means composition in the sense of how something is built, but in the context of writing, it refers to a creative writing exercise. In Portugal, it is traditionally used for primary school essays where students write stories or descriptions. In Brazil, it is rarely used for school essays anymore, sounding somewhat dated or specific to musical creation.
Na escola primária em Portugal, o menino escreveu uma composição sobre as suas férias.
(In primary school in Portugal, the boy wrote a composition about his holidays.)
A composição deve ter uma introdução, desenvolvimento e conclusão.
(The composition must have an introduction, development, and conclusion.)
Fazer uma composição de texto exige um bom vocabulário.
(Making a text composition requires good vocabulary.)
Summary
To summarize, use ensaio for high-level academic or literary works in both countries. Use redação for school tests and general student essays, especially in Brazil where it is the standard term. Use composição for creative writing exercises in schools, which is more common in Portugal than in Brazil.